Shiro Therapeutic Massage

09/29/2020

Shiro Therapeutic Massage is back!

Now accepting appointments:
call 316-727-4391 or email me at michellevoth.massage@gmail.com

I am taking MANY precautions to help make each massage session as safe as possible.

Some of these precautions include:

Both client and therapist will be required to wear a mask AT ALL TIMES. This includes during your ENTIRE massage session.
You can either wear your own mask or you can purchase a surgical mask from me for $1.

If you are having difficulty breathing, please let me know and I will work to accommodate you in any way that I can (i.e. different positioning, mask break area, etc.)

I will be wearing an N95 mask with a cloth mask over it. The cloth mask (and my shirt) will be changed in between each client to reduce the risk of cross contamination. Additionally, I will be wearing a reverse face shield whenever I am working near a clients face.

I have purchased a HEPA air filter for the massage room, which will be in continuous use during the day.

Each client will be required to sign a waiver before EACH session. The waiver, as well as a list of pre-screening questions, will be emailed before each session so it can be read prior to arriving.

Each client will be screened by the therapist with a temperature check and a list of questions before each session.

The bathroom, the massage room and all other high touch surfaces will be sanitized in between each client.

hand sanitizer will be available at the entrance to the apartment (please sanitize as soon as you enter) and by the door to the massage room.

Please feel encouraged to sanitize often.

05/26/2020

It is with a heavy heart that I have made the decision to remain closed through the month of June.

My number one priority is the safety and well being of my clients, my family, and our wider community. As this pandemic continues to run its course, doctors and scientists continue to learn more about the disease itself and how it is transmitted.

There are many extra safety precautions that can (and will) be implemented by Shiro Therapeutic Massage in the future, but several issues remain that cannot be adequately addressed at this time due to a lack of information and/or a lack of supply.


One concern is the appearance of blood clots and the subsequent high risk of strokes in some folks infected with Covid-19.

There is a lot of concern within the wider massage therapy community about providing massages to individuals who may have this condition as a part of a Covid-19 infection and be unaware of it (asymptomatic). In general, massage is not recommended for those with blood clots as they may become dislodged due to the manual manipulation performed by the massage therapist.


Another main concern involves the way in which Covid-19 is transmitted and the various factors involved with the risk of exposure. Essentially, the longer you are exposed to the respiratory droplets (expelled by sneezing, coughing, talking, and even breathing) that can contain the Coronavirus, the higher the risk that you will reach the "viral load" needed for the virus to infect your body. This risk increases in enclosed spaces where "social distancing" is not possible. Cloth masks can help, but are not very useful for preventing infection during a massage session because of the time and close physical proximity required.

I have spent a lot of time agonizing over the decision to re-open or remain closed, often thinking, "Well, maybe..."

Ultimately, though, while there are things that I can do to make a massage session "safer" there is nothing I can do to make a massage session "safe" at this time.

I feel that by re-opening my business now, I would be communicating to you that it is safe to get a massage, and that is just not the case.

04/30/2020

After continued evaluation and careful consideration, I have decided to delay re-opening Shiro Therapeutic Massage through the month of May.

It is my understanding that the governor's stay-at-home orders are ending on May 3 and many places of business will start to re-open. It is unclear to me which businesses will be allowed to reopen and what restrictions will be in place for those businesses.

Regardless, the nature of massage therapy and the close physical contact that is required has led me and many of the leaders in my profession to conclude that it is unsafe and inadvisable to reopen at this time.

It is my sincere hope that I will be able to see you all soon and help ease the burden on your weary minds and bodies.

It is absolutely imperative to me that my business reopen with the utmost care and attention to the health and well being of all of my clients as well as me and my family.

With that in mind, I will continue to stay informed and I will continue in conversation with others in my profession as I begin to formulate a plan for reopening.

03/29/2020

As you are likely aware, the number of Covid-19 cases in the US and Kansas continues to increase. Our Governor has issued stay-at-home orders for all "non-essentials". I know (and appreciate!) that many of you consider massage therapy an essential part of your health and wellness routine. Unfortunately, the way we can protect each other right now is by having as little (physically close) contact as possible.

With this in mind, I have decided to cancel all appointments through the end of April.

You all are in my thoughts, and I hope you are finding ways to tenderly care for yourselves each day.

03/22/2020

03/17/2020

After carefully considering the COVID-19 risk to my clients and our wider community, I have decided to cancel all appointments for the next two weeks.

Safety is my number one concern for all of my clients, many of whom fall in a higher risk category for this disease. I feel a strong sense of social responsibility to help in any way to slow the spread of the virus and to protect the at-risk populations in our community. Since my profession involves being in close proximity and sharing the air for an extended time in a small room, a virus like this can be spread very quickly despite the best infection control and hygiene precautions.

Due to the nature of COVID19, people can be asymptomatic for at least several days but still be contagious. Some people have contracted the virus and had virtually no symptoms at all.

With that in mind, I am taking this situation seriously and have decided to take action now to temporarily suspend my practice to slow the curve of COVID19 spread and lessen the sudden overload on our medical facilities locally.

I do not make this decision lightly as this practice is my primary source of income. At this stage, it is hard to know if I will need to extend cancellations beyond the next two weeks, but I will keep you all informed. The safety and health of my clients, family members and community is of the utmost importance.

Thank you for your support and understanding.